What Are They For?
The aim of The Parish Council is to maintain and improve the quality
of life for those who live or work in the Parish of Aynho. As
the first level of government the council has certain duties,
powers and responsibilities to help in this purpose and works
as well as it can with South Northants Council, Northamptonshire
County Council, the Northamptonshire Police Authority and other
relevant organisations, all of which have a direct impact on the
quality of life in our parish. The council is supported in its
work by Northamptonshire ACRE, an organisation which offers training
and advice to parish councils and village halls.
In practical terms the council owns and maintains street lamps,
playground equipment, bus shelters and benches. It has responsibility
for grass cutting and shares responsibility for general tidiness
and litter clearance with District and County Councils. It is
consulted on all planning applications but can only make observations
on these.
Its views are frequently sought on a whole range of policy issues
by the organisations listed above and many others.
How Much Does this Cost?
The council spends approximately £15000 per year. This is
made up of £12000 from the Council Tax and the remainder
from grants and donations. The accounts are managed by the Responsible
Financial Officer and audited internally and externally every
year. All payments are agreed at Council meetings. The accounts
are available for inspection immediately before audit in April
each year.
Finding out More
You can find out more by contacting the clerk, coming to the meetings,
reading the newsletter, checking the noticeboards or visiting
this website.
Contacting the Council
You are welcome to attend all or part of any council meeting.
These are held in the village hall at 7.30 PM on the first Monday
of the month except in January and August. The Agenda is published
on the noticeboards several days before the meeting. You may want
to listen to what is said on a particular subject or put your
own views. The chairman can suspend standing orders and invite
you to join in the discussion, but obviously only councillors
can vote on any proposals arising.
At other times you can contact the council through
the clerk. If you wish the council to discuss a particular issue
it is best if at all possible to put the matter in writing. The
council is then obliged to discuss it.
Many people raise issues informally with
councillors known to them and problems can be resolved through
informal advice, but the full council is not obliged to discuss
issues raised in this way.
